London, June 23 (IANS): Musician Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner CBE, better known by his stage name Sting, says none of his 180 million pound fortune will be left to his children.
The 62-year-old grew up in a working class family in Wallsend, North Tyneside, and it seems he wants his six kids to have an idea of what that is like, and not to be privileged all their lives, reports contactmusic.com.
"I told them there won't be much money left because we are spending it. We have a lot of commitments. What comes in we spend, and there isn't much left," said Sting.
"I certainly don't want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses around their necks. They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate," he added.
Currently, Sting is estimated to be the ninth richest musician in Britain and Ireland, according to the 2013 Sunday Time Rich List.
The singer says his children haven't been as spoilt as one might think.
"Obviously, if they were in trouble I would help them, but I've never really had to do that. They have this work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit. People make assumptions that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but they have not been given a lot," he said.
"With my children there is great wealth, success - a great shadow over them - so it's no picnic at all being my child. I discuss that with them; it's tough for them," he added.